Disney+ and Hulu See Surge in Cancellations After ABC Pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live!

NEW YORK — Subscriptions to Disney+ and Hulu dropped sharply in September, the same month ABC temporarily suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! following controversy over the host’s remarks about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, according to new data from subscription analytics firm Antenna.

The move, which lasted less than a week, triggered intense media attention — and apparently, a backlash among some subscribers. Both ABC and the two streaming platforms are owned by The Walt Disney Company, making the fallout a rare example of how on-air controversy can ripple across the parent company’s broader entertainment ecosystem.

Cancellations doubled across both platforms

Antenna’s analysis, which tracks U.S. subscription data excluding bundled packages, found that cancellations spiked significantly during the period. Hulu lost an estimated 4.1 million subscribers in September, while Disney+ saw 3 million cancellations.

Hulu’s monthly churn rate jumped from 5% in August to 10% in September, while Disney+’s churn climbed from 4% to 8%. Those are some of the steepest short-term shifts either platform has seen since late 2022, when both services experienced temporary declines after price increases.

Despite the surge in cancellations, Antenna also noted an unexpected bright spot: new signups were higher in September than during any of the previous five months, suggesting that the controversy may have simultaneously drawn new attention to both platforms.

As of Disney’s latest quarterly report (for the period ending June 28), the company reported a combined 183 million subscriptions across Disney+ and Hulu globally.

The controversy behind the numbers

The situation began after comments Kimmel made on Jimmy Kimmel Live! following the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. On air and on social media, Kimmel condemned the killing as a “senseless murder” and expressed sympathy for Kirk’s family and other victims of gun violence.

However, the host also used the moment to criticize former President Donald Trump and his administration’s reaction, accusing them of “finger-pointing” and “turning the tragedy into a political weapon.” Those remarks drew sharp condemnation from right-wing commentators and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, who claimed Kimmel had “misled the public” about the shooter’s identity.

Carr went a step further — warning that Disney and its local affiliates could face consequences if Kimmel was not disciplined. The following day, ABC suspended Kimmel, while major broadcast partners including Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group temporarily pulled the show from dozens of local markets.

The blackout lasted just over a week; Kimmel’s suspension ended after several days.

Kimmel’s response and public reaction

When Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned to the air, the comedian addressed the controversy directly. He did not apologize but clarified that his comments were never meant to downplay Kirk’s death.

“It was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” Kimmel said on his return show. “I understand that for some people, what I said may have felt ill-timed or unclear — or maybe both.”

He went on to defend the importance of free speech and open criticism, blending pointed social commentary with humor — the very tone that has defined his career for more than two decades.

Online, reactions were sharply divided. Progressive viewers praised Kimmel for standing his ground, while conservative commentators called for boycotts of Disney properties, including Hulu and Disney+. Hashtags like #CancelDisneyPlus and #BoycottHulu trended briefly on X (formerly Twitter) following the suspension.

Disney remains silent

Disney, for its part, has declined to comment on the subscription data or the internal decision to suspend Kimmel. Analysts say the company may be wary of fueling further controversy as it juggles political tensions, ongoing Hollywood union negotiations, and a challenging streaming market.

“Disney’s challenge isn’t just managing its content — it’s managing perception,” said media analyst Erin McKay of Antenna. “When one part of the company becomes a lightning rod, it affects everything from stock sentiment to subscription behavior.”

The bigger picture

The episode underscores how cultural flashpoints can reverberate far beyond the TV screen. In an era where entertainment, politics, and social media outrage are deeply intertwined, even a short suspension can trigger measurable changes in consumer behavior.

For Disney, the short-term spike in cancellations may not significantly hurt its bottom line — but it highlights how fragile audience loyalty has become in the streaming age.

Whether the controversy will have lasting effects remains unclear, but one thing is certain: Jimmy Kimmel Live! has once again proven that late-night television still has the power to ignite national debate — and shake up corporate giants in the process.